Sir, - We copy continental practices, but very selectively and only where it suits the power blocks in our society. There are, however, many that we could with advantage emulate; such as being serious about bus lanes; such as allowing commercial deliveries and private cars into the city centre only between the hours of 12 midnight and 6 am. After that time only public service vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, police vehicles and local authority service lorries and vans, and other essential vehicles like certificated private cars for the disabled, for doctors on professional journeys, for nurses also about their necessary business.
It would not be too easy to arrange, but at control points at the entry to the boundary, which would have to be set, those without valid permits could be turned back. I am not joking, because it is quite clear that, Luas or not, serious measures are going to be needed to cure the idiotic traffic chaos that we have allowed to develop in our capital city.
I am a car owner myself, but have already given up going to Limerick, except for speciality items not obtainable hereabouts. I would consider myself to have lost my marbles altogether to think of going to Dublin by car. And to think that the powers that be are considering spending £300m to £600m of my money on Luas, without having tried the few simple measures I have suggested. - Yours, etc., Michael Allott,
Ballingarry, Co Limerick.